ALTER EGO (2023)

"Alter Ego: Centennial is a celebration of 100 issues, and 50 years, of Alter Ego, Roy Thomas' legendary super-hero fanzine. It's a double-size triple-threat book, with twice as many pages as the regular magazine, plus special features just for this anniversary edition! Alter Ego celebrates its dual anniversaries as Roy Thomas is interviewed about the 1990s at DC and several independents! Plus, special anniversary editions of Alter Ego staples 'Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt,' 'Fawcett Collectors of America' (FCA), and Alex Wright's amazing color collection of 1940s DC pin-up babes! "

"Alter Ego #125 telegraphs everything you ever wanted to know about Lee Harris - the artist/creator of the Golden Age Detective Comics super-hero Air Wave - as revealed by son Jonathan Levey to interviewer Richard J. Arndt! There's plenty of rarely-seen 1940s art treasures - including Lando, The Flame, Green Falcon, and mysterious, unpublished art of an alternate version of DC's Tarantula! Plus more of Amy Kiste Nyberg's 'Seal of Approval' expose on the Comics Code, and artist Sal Amendola tells the story of ACBA (Academy of Comic Book Arts), the 1970s comics-pro organization, with plenty of photos and art! Plus: Fawcett Collectors of America, Michael T. Gilbert lurking in 'Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt', Bill Schelly, and more! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"This issue celebrates Sol Brodsky - one of the most important and underrated artists in comics! He inked Fantastic Four #3 and #4 and designed its logo; became Marvel's production manager during crucial years; and co-founded Skywald, then Marvel's British weeklies! Daughter Jana Parker and son Gary Brodsky talk about their father - and so do Stan Lee, Herb Trimpe, Stan Goldberg, David Anthony Kraft, Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, and others! Learn about his work on Blue Beetle, Kid Colt Outlaw, Red Cross (his Holyoke creation!), Volton, and Cracked Mazagine! Plus FCA, Michael T. Gilbert, Bill Schelly, and more! Cover portrait by John Romita! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"Alter Ego commemorates Len Wein in the late Silver Age! The award-winning, Eisner Hall of Fame writer/co-creator of Swamp Thing, Human Target, and Wolverine - also scripter of Justice League of America, Batman, Superman, Teen Titans, Phantom Stranger, Korak, X-Men, Spider-Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four, Star Trek, et al. - talks about his early days in comics at DC and Marvel! Art by Wrightson, Infantino, Trimpe, Dillon, Cardy, Aparo, Thorne, Mooney, and others! Plus: FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, the Comics Code, and Dan Barry! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"In Alter Ego Roy Thomas talks to Jim Amash about celebrating his 50th year in comics - and especially about the '90s at Marvel! Get the end-of-century lowdown on Avengers West Coast, Dr. Strange, The Invaders, Fantastic Four Unlimited, Secret Defenders, Conan the Adventurer, Saga of the Sub-Mariner, and other Roy features. Art by Trimpe, Guice, Ryan, Ross, Buckler, Hoover, Kayanan, Buscema, Chan, Valentino, and others!"

"This issue explores the great adventure heroes of Edgar Rice Burroughs - in comic strips and comic books! Featuring the art of Foster, Hogarth, Frazetta, Manning, Kane, Kubert, Morrow, Grell, Thorne, Weiss, Anderson, Kaluta, Amendola, Buscema, Marsh, Celardo, Lubbers, and Yeates - with analysis by some of the foremost ERB experts! Plus, the 1970s ERB comics company that nearly was - and today's online ERB strips by Grindberg, Thomas, Marcos, Marz, Dixon, Kwapisz, Powell, Floyd, Leto, Poliwko, et al.! Plus: FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, Bill Schelly on comics fandom history, and more! Cover by Tom Grindberg and the ERB all-stars! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"Alter Ego presents an incredible interview with Jim Shooter, who sold his first script to DC in 1965 - at age 13! We chronicle the first decade of his color-splashed career, featuring The Legion of Super-Heroes, Superman, Supergirl, Captain Action, and others, with art by Curt Swan, Wally Wood, Gil Kane, George Papp, Jim Mooney, Pete Costanza, Win Mortimer, Wayne Boring, Al Plastino, et al.!"

"Alter Ego presents a special George Tuska showcase issue, emphasing the legendary artist's career at Lev Gleason and Marvel, and in comics strips through the early 1970s! From Crime Does Not Pay and Buck Rogers to Iron Man, The Avengers, and Hero For Hire, all of Tuska's high-profile strips are detailed by Dewey Cassell! Plus there's an interview with 1950s Timely/Marvel editor Al Sulman, 'personal associate of Stan Lee!'"

"This issue features an in-depth interview with Gerry Conway (star Marvel/DC writer in the early '70s), conducted by Richard Arndt - from House of Mystery and The Phantom Stranger to Daredevil, Black Widow, Thor, Fantastic Four, Werewolf by Night, The Inhumans, Kull the Conqueror, Sub-Mariner, Amazing Spider-Man - to the creation of The Punisher and the death of Gwen Stacy! Art by Romita, Colan, Kane, Ploog, Buscema, Morrow, Tuska, Adams, Sekowsky, the Severins, et al.! Plus FCA, Michael T. Gilbert in 'Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt', Bill Schelly on comics fandom history, and more! Cover by Shane Foley and the Marvel all-star squad! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"In Alter Ego, would you believe still more about Roy Thomas in the 1990s? Jim Amash interviews the Rascally One about his '90s work on Marvel's Conan and the stillborn Marvel/Excelsior line launched by Stan Lee, along with Roy's writing for companies like Cross Plains, Topps, DC, and others! Art by the likes of Kayanan, the Brothers Buscema, Maroto, Giordano, St. Aubin, Ditko, Simonson, Mignola, Lark, and many others! Plus: the sorcerous secrets of '177A Bleecker Street,' the Greenwich Village address Thomas gave to Dr. Strange!"

"Alter Ego is a Big Marvel issue, concentrating on Captain America and Fantastic Four! Martin Goodman's Broadway debut - amazing speculations about Fantastic Four #1 - the secret history of the MMMS - an interview with Golden Age Timely writer/artist Don Rico - and more surprises than you could shake a Forbush at! Art by Kirby, Avison, Shores, Romita, Severin, Tuska, Bellman, and others!"

"A Special Crossover Extravaganza! Alter Ego celebrates 75 years of The Flash and Green Lantern (with Hawkman thrown in for good measure!) The era from 1940 to 1970, with Back Issue #80 picking it up from there! Vintage art by Infantino, Kane, Kubert, Elias, Lampert, Hibbard, Nodell, Hasen, Toth, Reinman, Sekowsky, and others! Plus: Golden Age JSA and Dr. Mid-Nite artist Arthur Peddy as known by stepson Dr. Michael Posner, in an interview by Richard Arndt! "

"Alter Ego gives the floor to science-fiction great Harlan Ellison, as he talks about Captain Marvel and The Monster Society of Evil! Also, artist/Captain Marvel co-creator C.C. Beck writes about the infamous Superman-Captain Marvel lawsuit of the 1940s and '50s, in a double-size FCA (Fawcett Collector of America) section! Plus two titantic tributes to Golden Age artist Fred Kida, Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, Bill Schelly on comics fandom history, and more!"

"Alter Ego is a special issue devoted to Golden Age great Irwin Hasen, who passed away recently at nearly age 97! This feature is adapted from Dan Makara's film documentary on Hasen, the 1940s artist of the Justice Society, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Wildcat, Holyoke's Cat-Man, and number other classic heroes and, for 30 years, the artist of the famous Dondi newspaper strip."

"From Detroit to Deathlok, Alter Ego is devoted to the comet-splashed career of artist Rich Buckler! He drew it all: Fantastic Four, The Avengers, Black Panther, Ka-Zar, Dracula, Morbius, and a zillion mighty Marvel covers; Batman, Hawkman, and other DC stars; Creepy & Eerie horror; and that's just in the first half of the 1970s! Plus Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, Bill Schelly on comics fandom history, FCA (Fawcett Collector's of America) section, and comics expert Hames Ware on fabulous Golden Age artist Rafael Astarita! All behind a great Deathlok painted cover by Buckler!"

"Super-fan David Siegel talks to Richard Arndt about how, from 1991 to 2005, he tracked down some of the greatest and hardest-to-find artists of the Golden Age and brought them to the San Diego Comic-Con! Featuring art and artifacts by those classic talents, including RAmona Fradon, Chad Grothkopf, Sheldon Moldoff, Harry Lampert, Chuck Cuidera, Creig Flessel, Paul Norris, Vin Sullivan, Joe Giella, Irv Novick, Kurt Schaffenberger, and others! Plus: Rich Morrissey on how Golden/Silver Age star writer John Broome got to the Con!"

"Don Glut tells Richard Arndt about his early years as an amateur film-maker, rock musician - and comic book writer for Marvel, Warren, and especially Gold Key! Don talks about the creation of such series as Doctor Spektor, Dagar the Invincible, and Tragg and the Sky Gods, and about scripting Twilight Zone, The Invaders, Kull the Destroyer, Solomon Kane, Captain America, What If, et al.! Bonus: Sal Amendola and Roy Thomas tell all they can pull together about the 1970s professional Academy of Comic Book Arts, founded by Stan Lee and Carmine Infantino!"

"In Alter Ego we go 'Aces High!' with the story of Ace Comics in the 1940s and '50s, told by Mark Carlson with super-heroes like Magno & Davey, Lash Lightning, The Raven, Unknown Soldier, Captain Courageous, Vulcan, The Flag, Mr. Risk, and more! Art by the likes of Harvey Kurtzman, Jim Mooney, Dave Berg, L.b. Cole, Rudy Palais, Harry Anderson, Harry Sahle, B. Currie, et al. Plus: Richard Arndt's interview with Bill Harris, 1960s-70s editor of Gold Key and King Comics, with art from The Phantom, Flash Gordon, Mandrake, etc. With FCA, Comic Crypt, and Comic Fandom Archive. Cover by B. Currie from a 1940s issue of Ace's Four Favorites!"

"Now 100 pages per bimonthly issue! It's 40 years to the month after the debut of Marvel's Star Wars #1, and its writer/editor Roy Thomas tells Richard Arndt the story behind that landmark comic, going way beyond anything published before! Plus interviews with artists Howard Chaykin, Rick Hoberg, and Bill Wray. Also: the story of George Brenner, creator of The Clock, comic books' first masked hero - 'Jazz in Comics' by Michael T. Gilbert - the finale of Bill Schelly's salute to G.B. Love - FCA (Fawcett Collector's of America) section - and more! Dramatic sword-and-space cover art by Chaykin!"

"Spotlight on Doug Moench in the 1970s, with horror and The Spook for Warren - and even more for Marvel (Master of Kung Fu, Planet of the Apes, Deathlok, Werewolf by Night, Morbius, Moon Knight, Ka-Zar, Weirdworld, etc.)! Art by Buscema, Gulacy, Ploog, Buckler, Zeck, Day, Perlin, Heath, et al.! Michael T. Gilbert on EC's oddball 'variant covers'-FCA-and a never-before-published authentic Golden Age super-hero story, 'Bill of Rights,' written and drawn by Marv Levy and presented in full color by Larry Guidry! Far-out Master of Kung Fu cover by Paul Gulacy!"

"Few comics writers wrote more stories - or more important ones, with major heroes - than Golden/Silver Age star Otto Binder. For the first time, Alter Ego features a giant-size FCA [Fawcett Collectors of America] section, with special intros by P.C. Hamerlinck and Bill Schelly - and Binder's own personal script records, accompanied by illos from his greatest series, including Captain Marvel, Superman, The Marvel Family, Captain America, Mary Marvel, Black Owl, Captain Marvel Jr., Doll Man, Supergirl, Captain Battle, Legion of Super-Heroes, Captain Midnight, and a zillion more! With art by Beck, Simon & Kirby, Swan, Schaffenberger, Avison, Boring, [jack] Binder, Mooney, Plastino, Pfeufer, Shores, and the super-stars of two comics eras!"

"Alter Ego is a special issue dedicated to Joe Petrilak's All-Time Classic New York Comic Book Convention, held in June 2000, with the greatest lineup of Golden & Silver Age talent ever assembled at a single con! Panels (on the 60th anniversaries of The Flash and Green Lantern, etc., etc.), art and photos featuring INfantino, Kubert, 3 Schwartzes (Julie, Alvin, and Lew Sayre), Nodell, Hasen, Giella, Cuidera, Boltinoff, Buscema, Ayers, Sinnott, [Marie] Severin, Goulart, Thomas, and a host of others! Plus, you've never seen anything like Russ Rainbolt's 60-foot comics mural, presented in a spectacular layout!"

"Showcasing Gil Kane, one of the Silver Age's greatest artists-with gleaming Golden Age roots in the Simon & Kirby shop! Incisive and free-wheeling Kane interview conducted in the 1990s by Daniel Herman for his 2001 book Gil Kane: The Art of the Comics-plus Gil's incisive article from the Spring 1974 issue of the Harvard Journal of Pictorial Fiction, and other surprise features centered around the artistic co-creator of the Silver Age Green Lantern and The Atom! And beginning the autobiography of Golden/Silver Age Flash/GL scripter John Broome!"

"Alter Ego lights the candles for Stan Lee's 95th birthday with a special celebration! Rare Lee interview by Will Murray, conducted in the 1980s; Ger Apeldoorn on Stan's non-Marvel writing in the 1950s; Stan Lee/Roy Thomas e-mails of the 21st century (yes, they used private servers!); and more special features than you could shake Irving Forbush at! Also FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Bill Schelly, and Michael T. Gilbert! Colorful Marvel multi-hero cover by Big John Buscema! Comes polybagged with TwoMorrows' new full catalog!"

"It's The Owl! The Eye! Dr. Hypno! Solarman! Fantom of the Fair! These are just some of the fabulous Golden Age heroes drawn by Frank Thomas, whose life and times are celebrated by Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt's Michael T. Gilbert! Also: from Captain Midnight to Korak - from Magic Morro to Magnus, Robot Fighter - the scintillating (and often offbeat) Golden & Silver Age super-heroes of Western Publishing's Dell & Gold Key comics, annotated by Stuart Fischer! Art by Manning, Ditko, Kane, Marsh, Gill, Spiegle, Springer, Norris, Santos, Thorne, et al.! Plus FCA, Bill Schelly, and more!"

"Alter Ego presents Larry Ivie, maybe the most important Silver Age comic book artist/writer you never heard of! He conceived (and named!) the Justice League of America, he helped develop the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, he brought EC art greats to the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs. and he created Monsters and Heroes, one of the first magazines ever to bridge the gap between fan and pro! Artist/friend Sandy Plunkett chronicles this unsung star's career, with art by Wood, Frazetta, Crandall, Krenkel, Doolin, and others, plus rarely-seen and never-seen Ivie art and story pages spotlighting Justice League, Hawkman, The Atom, Sandman, and Superman!"

"Alter Ego shines the spotlight on the unforgettable Fabulous Flo Steinberg, Marvel's gal Friday during the Marvel Age of Comics, with anecdotes and essays by the pros and friends who knew and loved her! Art by a cavalcade of the Marvel Bullpen's finest - Kirby, Ditko, Wood, Adams, Trimpe, Williamson, Ploog, Severin, and others - plus: Flo's successor, Robin Green, interviewed by Richard Arndt about her time at Marvel - and, as a bonus, her 1971 article on Marvel for Rolling Stone magazine (and maybe a little bit about her days writing TV's The Sopranos, to boot)!"

"In Alter Ego, Allen Bellman, artist in the original early-1940s Timely/Marvel bullpen, tells Dr. Michael J. Vassallo everything he didn't discuss in their 2004 interview, with art by Shores, Burgos, Brodsky, Sekowsky, Everett, Pfeufer, Klein, Burlockoff, Jaffee, Fago, et al. Plus, a spotlight on Marvel's trio of early-'70s heroine comics, featuring talks with Linda Fite and Paty Cockrum (The Cat), Carole Seuling (Shanna the She-Devil), and Roy Thomas (Night Nurse), with art by Severin, Fradon, Andru, and Mortimer! "

"Golden Age great Norman Maurer, artist, writer, editor, and filmmaker, is remembered by his wife Joan Maurer! She shares memories of Charles Biro's Crime Does Not Pay, Boy Comics, and Daredevil-of St. John's 3-D and Three Stooges comics with fellow legend Joe Kubert of his 1960s movie starring the Three Stooges (moe Howard was Norm's father-in-law!), plus Maurer's work for Marvel, DC, Gold Key, Fox, et al! Then, learn about Larry Ivie's 1959 plans for a JUstice Society revival, more on John Broome, FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Mr. Monster in his Comics Crypt, and Bill Schelly!"

"All Time Classic Con continued from #148! Panels on Golden Age (Cuidera, Hasen, Schwartz [lew & Alvin], Boltinoff, Lampert, Gill, Flessel) & Silver Age Marvel, DC, & Gold Key (Severin, Sinnott, Ayers, Drake, Anderson, Fradon, Simonson, Green, Bolle, Thomas), plus John Broome, FCAca, Mr. Monster, & Bill Schelly! Unused Ron Wilson/Chris Ivy cover! "

"From 1945 to 1948, just a few years into her 75-year career, the phenomenally popular Wonder Woman had a female scriptwriter: Joye Murchison, assistant to WW co-creator Dr. William Marston! In Alter Ego, you'll revel in her interview conducted by Richard Arndt, featuring rare artwork by H.G. Peter and several previously-unknown art assistants! Plus: Barbara Friedlander, 1960s writer and editor, spills the secrets of DC's love comics-with art and/or anecdotes of Jack Miller, John Romita, Gene Colan, Jay Scott Pike, Tony Abruzzo, Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, Mike Esposito, Joe Orlando, Carmine Infantino, Mort Weisinger, Julius Schwartz, and many more!"

"Alter Ego is an FCA [Fawcett Collectors of America] Special! We shine the spotlight on fabled Golden Age writer William Woolfolk ('the Shakespeare of the Comics'), including an exclusive interview, and his scripting records! With art by Beck, Schaffenberger, Boring, Bob Kane, Crandall, L.s. Schwartz, Krigstein, Andru, Jack Cole, Fine, Peter, Heath, Plastino, Moldoff, Grandenetti, and more! Plus John Broome, Crypt, Schelly, and the 2017 Star Wars Panel with Chaykin, Lippincott, and Thomas!"

"Peter Cannon - Thunderbolt writer/artist Pete Morisi talks about the creative process! Plus, we uncover his vintage correspondence and secret shop-talk with comic book greats Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Al Williamson, Charles Biro, Joe Gill, George Tuska, Rocky Mastroserio, Pat Masulli, Sal Gentile, Dick Giordano, and others! Also: John Broome's bio, FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, and Bill Schelly."

"Alter Ego #160 is a special issue remembering Steve Ditko! 'Sturdy Steve' at Marvel (Spider-Man, Dr. Strange) DC (The Creeper, Hawk & Dove) Warren (Creepy, Eerie) Charlton (Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, The Question)! Don't miss a rare late-1960s Ditko interview by Richard Howell, biographical notes by Nick Caputo, and tributes by Michael T. Gilbert, Paul Levitz, Bernie Bubnis, Barry Pearl, Roy Thomas, and many more! Extra: FCA, John Broome, Bill Schelly, and more! Spider-Man cover by Ditko! Edited by Roy Thomas."

"Alter Ego is a full-issue tribute to Stan (The Man) Lee and his contributions to comics! Roy Thomas writes on his more than 50-year relationship with Stan-and shares 21st-century e-mails from Stan (with his permission, of course)! Art by Kirby, Ditko, Maneely, Everett, Severin, Romita-plus tributes from pros and fans alike-and special sections on Stan by Michael T. Gilbert, Bill Schelly, and even the FCA! Vintage Galactus cover by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta! "

"Has Alter Ego uncovered 'A Prophecy in Four Colors?' Will Murray presents an amazing array of possible prototypes of Batman (by artist Frank Foster in 1932!), Wonder Woman (by Star-Spangled Kid artist Hal Sherman), Tarantula (by Air Wave artist Lee Harris), and others! Plus a rare interview with Hal Sherman! Extra: Michael T. Gilbert with still more on artist Pete Morisi, FCA, Bill Schelly, John Broome, and more! Cover by Shane Foley, an all-star homage to Bob Kane, H.G. Peter, and Arthur Peddy!"

"Alter Ego examines the great early days of Dave Cockrum, Legion of Super-Heroes artist and co-developer of the revived mid-1970s X-Men, as revealed in art-filled letters to buddy Paul Allen and augmented by rare, previously unseen illustrations provided by wife Paty Cockrum! You'll be startled by Dave's amazing 1960s-70s drawings of Edgar Rice Burroughs heroes such as John Carter of Mars, et al.! Plus FCA-Michael T. Gilbert on Pete Morisi-John Broome-Bill Schelly, and more!"

"Alter Ego shines the spotlight on Mike Friedrich, the DC and Marvel writer who went on to jumpstart the independent comics movement with Star*Reach! Art by Neal Adams, Gil Kane, Dick Dillin, Irv Novick, John Buscema, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Frank Brunner, et al.! Plus: Mark Carlson-Ghost on Rural Home Comics-home base of Captain Wizard, Bogey Man, and The Green Turtle! Also: FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) and Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt! Justice League of America cover by Neal Adams!"

"Alter Ego is a Fawcett Collectors of America (FCA) Special, with twin spotlights on Golden/Silver Age artist Kurt Schaffenberger (Captain Marvel, Ibis the Invincible, Marvel Family, Lois Lane) and modern day's Alex Ross (Marvels, et al.)! Featuring Alex's titanic tapestry of the multitude of super-heroes influenced by the original Captain Marvel-and his own story behind that awesome artwork! Plus Michael T. Gilbert's 'Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt' on Superman editor Mort Weisinger, John Broome, and more! Cover by Schaffenberger!"

"Alter Ego #167 is a star-spangled salute to Syd Shores, Golden Age artist of Captain America, the All Winners Squad, Black Rider, Human Torch, The Vision, Black Knight, and Silver Age artist of Red Wolf, Frankenstein, Cracked, Creepy, Eerie, Web of Horror, et al. This issue, Syd is remembered by daughter Nancy Shores Karlebach, fellow artist Allen Bellman, Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, and interviewer Richard Arndt. Plus: mid-1940s 'Green Turtle' artist/creator Chu Hing, profiled by Alex Jay, and more!"

Alter Ego shows two very different sides of World War II, revealed in Richard Arndt interviews! The wartime life of Aquaman artist/co-creator Paul Norris, with a Golden/Silver Age gallery of art featuring Aquaman, Flash Gordon, Brick Bradford, and other fabulous heroes of comic books and strips - plus the story of Willie Ito, who endured the WWII Japanese-American relocation centers to become a Disney & Warner Bros. animator and to draw such comicbooks/strips as Pogo, Winnie the Pooh, Beany and Cecil, and more.

Alter Ego shines its spotlight on Groovy Gary Friedrich-co-creator of Marvel's Ghost Rider! It features an in-depth interview with Roy Thomas on his and Gary's six-decade friendship in and out of comics; Gary's wife Jean Friedrich and nephew Robert Higgersom on his later years; and Peter (From the Tomb) Normanton on GF's horror/mystery comics! With art by Ploog, Trimpe, Romita, The Severins, Ayers, et al.! Plus FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, and more! With a Ghost Rider cover by Mike Ploog!

In AE #170, it finally happens! Jack Kirby showcased cover-to-cover in an issue of Alter Ego-behind a never-before-printed Kirby cover! Will Murray on Kirby's crucial contributions to the creation of Iron Man-FCA on his Captain Marvel/Mr. Scarlet work at early-'40s Fawcett-special Kirby sections by Michael T. Gilbert & Peter Normanton-Kirby in 1960s fanzines-Stan Lee's colorful quotes about "The King"-Roy Thomas on being a Kirby fan (and occasional foil) from 1946 till today-plus other klassic Kirby sightings!

Alter Ego features Paul Gustavson-Golden Age artist extraordinaire of The Angel, Fantom of the Fair, The Arrow, The Human Bomb, The Jester, Plastic Man, Alias the Spider, Quicksilver, Rusty Ryan, Midnight, and many more-is the issue's centerpiece as his son Terry Gustafson (nope, that "F" isn't a typo!) talks in-depth to Richard Arndt. Lots of lush comic art from Centaur, Timely, and (especially) Quality! Plus-FCA, Michael T. Gilbert, John Broome, and more!

"In the 1970s, talented artists from the Philippines were uncrowned kings of the comics-and no one drew more or better than Alfredo Alcala! He's best known in the U.S. for his dreamscape work on Savage Sword of Conan-but wait'll you get a look at Voltar, the barbarian hero Alcala created before the Cimmerian came to comics! Richard Arndt interviews his sons Alfred and Christian, where you'll see the best of the Master's work for Marvel, DC, Warren-and, perhaps most amazingly of all, from his native Philippines, where Alfredo had his own comicbook named after him! "

"Black super-heroes (and others) in U.S. comicbooks! An awesome overview by comics historian Barry Pearl-from Voodah to Black Panther and beyond! Plus-an in-depth interview with Dr. William Foster III, author of Looking for a Face Like Mine! Showcasing Baker, Graham, McDuffie, Fitzgerald, Hollingsworth, Cowan, Greene, Herriman, Jones, Ormes, Stelfreeze, Barreaux, Stoner, et al.-plus FCA, Michael T. Gilbert, and more! Cover by Kirby, Graham, Tuska, and Colan! Edited by Roy Thomas."

Fabulous FCA [Fawcett Collectors of America] issue - spearheaded by a feisty and informative article or two by Captain Marvel co-creator C.C. Beck himself - plus a fabulous feature on vintage cards created in Spain and starring The Marvel Family! In addition: Dr. William Foster III interview (conclusion); Michael T. Gilbert on the lost art of comicbook greats; the haunting of John Broome; and more! Cover by C.C. Beck!

Spotlighting the artists of Roy Thomas' 1980s DC series All-Star Squadron! Featuring illuminating interviews with artists Arvell Jones, Richard Howell, and Jerry Ordway, conducted by Richard Arndt! Plus-the Squadron's final secrets-including an amazing universe of previously unpublished Squadron art, including covers for issues that never existed by pro and amateur artists alike! Also: FCA, Michael T. Gilbert, and more! Wraparound cover by Arvell Jones!

The Shadow! Doc Savage! Red Dragon! Supersnipe! The grandiloquent Golden Age comics of major pulp-magazine publisher Street & Smith, examined in loving detail by Mark Carlson-Ghost! Tons of art by Bob Powell, Howard Nostrand, et al.! Also: Anthony Tollin on 'The Shadow/Batman Connection'! Bonus features: FCA, Michael T. Gilbert, John Broome, Peter Normanton, and more! Edited by Roy Thomas.

Celebration of veteran artist Don Perlin-artist of Werewolf By Night, The Defenders, Ghost Rider, Moon Knight, 1950s horror, and just about every other adventure genre under the four-color sun! Plus Golden Age artist Marcia Snyder-Marvel's early variant covers-Marvelmania club and fanzine-FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert on Cracked Mazagine, et al. Edited by Roy Thomas.

Alter Ego features Golden Age great Emil Gershwin, artist of Starman, Spy Smasher, and ACG horror in a super-length special Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt by Michael T. Gilbert, plus a Gershwin showcase in Peter Normanton's From The Tomb, even a few tidbits about relatives George and Ira Gershwin to top it off! Also FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), and other surprise features! Edited by Roy Thomas.

Celebrating the 61st Anniversary of Fantastic Four #1-'cause we kinda blew right past its 60th-plus a sagacious salute to Stan Lee's 100th birthday, with never-before-seen highlights-and to FF #1 and #2 inker George Klein! Spotlight on Sub-Mariner in the Bowery in FF #4-plus sensational secrets behind FF #1 and #3! Also: FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, a Jack Kirby cover, and more!

The Young All-Stars-the late-1980s successor to All-Star Squadron! Interviews with first artist Brian Murray and last artist Lou Manna-surprising insights by writer/co-creator Roy Thomas-plus a panorama of never-seen Young All-Stars artwork! All-new cover by Brian Murray! Plus FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, and beyond! Edited by Roy Thomas.

It's a special Neal Adams issue, paying tribute to one of the giants of the Silver and Bronze Ages of comics! Featuring in-depth interviews with Neal by Howard Chaykin, Bryan Stroud, and Richard Arndt. Also: a "lost" Adams Brave & The Bold cover with Batman and Green Arrow, and unseen Adams art and artifacts. Plus FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, and more! Edited by Roy Thomas.

An FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) special, behind a breathtaking Jerry Ordway cover! It include features on Uncle Marvel and the Fawcett Family (presided over by P.C. Hamerlinck), and a focus on artist Kenneth Landau (illustrator of Commander Battle and The Atomic Sub and many ACG horror stories) and writer Lee Goldsmith, who wrote Golden Age Green Lantern, Flash, and others. Plus Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt by Michael T. Gilbert, and more!

Don't miss the wall-to-wall coverage of Golden/Silver/Bronze Age legend Irv Novick (artist of Shield, Steel Sterling, Batman, The Flash, and some of the great DC war stories) by John Coates and Dewey Cassell. It includes interviews with Irv and family members, tributes by Denny O'Neil and Paul Levitz, Irv's involvement with painter Roy Lichtenstein (who used Novick's work as the basis for his paintings), and more! Plus Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, and FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America). Cover by Novick. Edited by Roy Thomas.

Known as one of the finest inkers in comics history, the late, great Tom Palmer also was an accomplished penciler and painter, as you'll see in this special tribute issue featuring an-depth interview with Palmer by Alex Grand and Jim Thompson. Learn his approach to, and thoughts on, working with Neal Adams, Gene Colan, John Buscema, and others who helped define the Marvel Universe. Plus Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, FCA, and more! Edited by Roy Thomas.